Tips for Pipetting in the Lab

Take it from someone who has dealt with repetitive stress injuries for a long time: correct pipetting technique is crucial regardless of your position in the lab. Accuracy is the foundation of any excellent scientific experiment; without accurate pipetting technique, all measurements would be off, from reagent distribution to sample collection and processing. Here are a few pointers to help you improve your pipetting technique, making it easier and less tiring to reach high levels of accuracy and consistency. Choose the appropriate pipette The first thing to think about before starting an experiment is selecting an acceptable set of pipettes. No, I’m not talking about deciding between Gilson and Eppendorf, but everyone has a favorite pipette brand. I’m talking about planning ahead of time which pipettes will be needed throughout the workflow so you’re not scrambling at the last minute to find the one you need. Remember that some studies necessitate a large volume of samples, maki...